AceOfHearts<3

A PICC line IS a central line, so yes- anything can be run through it and at rates and concentrations of other central lines. If you ever get a chance to see how long the catheter is (like when one is being removed), it will make sense. In the ICU if a patient didn’t have positive blood cultures and long term central access was needed we would have a PICC placed. A lot of times we’d have an IJ CVC or maybe femoral depending on how emergent placement was and then change it over to a PICC as soon as we could based on the patients status.

I had a similar commute when I worked night shifts. The traffic was so unpredictable I’d have to give myself 1.5 hours to get in for work so I wasn’t stressing about being late (and sometimes it would take close to that). I had to give myself even more time if there was Winter weather. I eventually moved closer. I’m not even willing to do a 45 minute commute anymore- 30 minutes or less is my standard.

I hate 3 in a row and only work that if I absolutely can’t help it (or if it’s for a trip, which wouldn’t be the case right now). I hit a wall come 3pm on day 3 and there is no way I’d be able to work 4 12 hour shifts in a row. I’ve worked an extra weekend shift multiple times before to split up 3 in a row. If I’m scheduled Saturday-Monday, then Wednesday, Thursday I often find it easy to swap Monday for the next Saturday (although it can stink working 2 Saturdays in a row it’s typically worth it for me). Most of the time, unless I have an appointment or something going on, my only schedule request is no 3 in a row and my manager who does the schedule knows that. I would definitely be letting them know that 4 in a row is no good for the future.

No mandates, but the messages from staffing constantly looking for help is tiring. They keep increasing the pick-up bonus, but eventually that doesn’t help since people are so tired. I work in a very large ICU, so while it’s definitely hard we at least tend to have a lot of extra ears available and our Covid rooms have the pumps outside the rooms. Now, whether or not someone who is sitting around actually checks a beeping pump is another (frustrating) story. We’ve also had nurses tripled at times. We keep being told “it’s a pandemic so we just have to make do” ?

Got mine! My arm has been sore and my back/neck a little achey, but I think that’s from the position I fell asleep in (I already have known issues with this). I did crash pretty hard after getting it, but I also had a busy day at work, so again- correlation does not equal causation ?‍♀️

It sounds like they might base the call on seniority and you’d be low person on the totem pole. It might be that all the other staff have paid their dues so no longer have to take call. I’d be asking on average how often do they hire someone new to the department/team and once someone else is new does that mean you won’t have the call requirements any longer. Still sounds like a deal breaker to you, but knowing that maybe you’ll have call every Sunday (or whatever day it is) for a year or so (or whatever the timeframe is) then never again might change things.

The good managers and assistant managers I’ve worked with have all had experience working on the type of unit they are managing. I think it’s important that when crap hits the fan they are able to jump in and help. I had a couple managers on a tele unit. One wasn’t very good and the other was excellent. The excellent one was actually brand new to management, but had TONS of experience working the floor. She would jump in when things went south, but she would also help if the unit was just crazy busy (saw her helping with a bed bath one day). You really felt like she had your back in all situations and not just when a patient was going south. I’m in critical care now and all my managers also have a lot of experience. It means when things are going south in the ICU, whether it be a code, super unstable patient just arrived, pt bleeding out and mass transfusion protocol initiated, etc. they are fully competent ICU nurses that step in and help. I couldn’t imagine someone running my unit without extensive bedside experience in the ICU. I think it’s needed to really understand how the unit runs, what we need, protocols and procedures, etc. I don’t know that there is any magic number and I think it will vary based on the person and unit, but I do think they should have more than just a couple of years experience. I also recognize that some people no matter how much experience they have should never be in that position.

Absolutely unacceptable. Plus, if you never start driving in bad weather you will never get used to it. I packed a bag just in case, took it extra slow going home, and adjusted my route to include more main roads and less hilly, winding, side roads.

You’re work is so very important. You’re helping to keep those patients OUT of the hospital, which means there are more beds for patients that need them. That is just as important as the work I’m doing in the hospital in the ICU.

Keep things cordial and don’t stoop to their level. If they need called out on something do it professionally and don’t get into a fight with them. Do your job and don’t let them get to you. I had an issue with someone on my unit at one point. I did exactly what I said to do above and didn’t let them get to me. You’d never know now that we used to have issues.

I was about to say the same about fresh cider donuts! I grew up close to an orchard. Now, if someone was kind enough to get a box of donuts from Dunkin on the way in to work then I totally go for the plain donut with the chocolate frosting and sprinkles on top ?

I rather have a nurse be a little nervous coming off orientation rather than being cocky. Take a deep breath- as others have said, you wouldn’t have made it this far if you weren’t capable. Just be alert and never be afraid to ask for help- run a scenario past another coworker, ask for another set of eyes, etc. Patients are better off with a nurse that is cautious than a nurse that is arrogant and overly confident. You got this!

We can’t save everyone, despite our best efforts. GI bleeds are particular beasts that can rear their ugly heads hard and fast. Some times we know a patient is decompensating but we don’t know why or we can’t stop it. Please look into using your EAP. You did the best you could and it is not all on you. Sending hugs.

I can get a couple shifts out of this stuff, but I haven’t found anything besides gel or dip from the salon that holds up longer. The alcohol in the hand sanitizer is the enemy. I’ve tried some nice nail strengtheners from Ulta and Sephora with this on top and haven’t seen much of a difference. One of my friends was told to take a prenatal vitamin to help her nails. Good luck! https://www.target.com/p/essie-gel-couture-nail-polish-gel-couture-top-coat-0-46-fl-oz/-/A-50637455#lnk=sametab

Here is a link about a boy in New Zealand that contracted tetorifice. His family was anti-vax until they experienced first hand the consequences. This happened in 2012, but it’s a story I’ve never forgotten and like to share in these circumstances. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&amp;objectid=10855638